First boy to get custodial sentence over rioting
A15-YEAR-OLD boy is believed to have become the first youth to receive a custodial sentence for taking part in the disorder that marred several parts of the UK following the tragic deaths of three children in Southport.
The teenager joined an anti-immigration march in Bristol on August 3 and was involved in clashes with police in Castle Park, on Bristol Bridge and near a hotel housing asylum seekers.
Bristol Youth Court heard the defendant, who had drunk a couple of cans of cider, was swearing at police and joined in with chanting in Castle Park and on Bristol Bridge.
Stephen Sadler, prosecuting, told the court the youth was later filmed in the Redcliff area of the city – near to the Mercure Hotel – throwing a chair at a stationary police vehicle and kicking it.
“He appears to throw a bottle towards police officers and just misses a police dog,” Mr Sadler said.
The youth, who cannot be identified due to his age, handed himself into police and later pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
Addressing the court, the boy, who has no previous convictions, said: “I really regret it and wish I didn’t go that day. I am very sorry.”
Nicola Hutchinson, defending, said the boy had gone into the city centre with a friend after watching a football match but was unaware of the planned protest.
“The bus dropped them outside Primark and they walked towards The Galleries and they saw people throwing items,” she said.
“The friend said they didn’t feel safe and they left. With hindsight he feels he should have done the same.
“It is clear to me from speaking to him that he has little understanding of where this disorder came from.
“He does not watch the news or read newspapers and he got caught up with something far more bigger than he was aware of.
“He cannot tell me why he just didn’t walk away. He wished he did – it is a stern lesson he is going to have to learn.
“He is embarrassed for bringing his family into disrepute and is ashamed for his actions.”
District Justice Nicholas Wattam imposed a four-month detention and training order on the youth.
“There was widespread and very serious public disorder across the country and the public disorder in Bristol on August 3 was one such example, resulting from the tragic events in Southport,” he said.
“You say you were in town for other reasons that day and became swept up in it. You did not leave when it became violent.
“You can be seen on video kicking out at a police car, throwing a chair at the police car and a bottle towards the police.
“At that point you were an active and persistent participant and under the influence of alcohol.”
The judge added: “The primary purpose of youth justice is to prevent reoffending.
“My view is that this offence is so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified.”
Ms Hutchinson immediately lodged an appeal against sentence and applied for bail, which was granted by the judge. The youth was released on conditional bail until his appeal hearing is heard at Bristol Crown Court.